A Tribute to a Hero: Jonathan "JD" Emard

There are times when you've been given a responsibility you know you must fulfill, no matter how difficult, no matter the cost. Army Spc. Jonathan Emard understood that. At the age of just 20, on June 4, 2008, near Hawijah, Iraq, he courageously ran a mission that would make most of us shrink in fear. But JD understood the cost and had a mind, body and spirit ready to serve. Tragically, it was his last mission. Two fellow soldiers, Sgt. Cody Legg and Sgt. Shane Duffy, also lost their lives in those early morning hours.

I have the privilege of knowing JD's family personally through church, even having had the blessed opportunity to photograph the birth of JD's niece last year. They are the kind of people who make everyone feel like family from the start. When JD's father called asking me to photograph as much as I could of the proceedings when his son arrived home - not in the celebratory reunion we so longed for, but in a casket borne in honor - I knew I had a job to do. It was, at once, the most difficult assignment and one of the greatest privileges I've ever had. It was the very least that I could do. I was so very moved to see the outpouring of love and support to, and even from, the Emard family. Spending the better part of two days with them, I heard many stories, saw heartwarming pictures, celebrated JD's life, and observed the dignity and honor with which his earthly body was laid to rest. We celebrate that his soul is with the Lord. So this is for you, our brave hero, and for your family who loves you so. We look forward to seeing you in glory.







This is a small sampling of pictures from the moving events of those days. Please check back soon for a slideshow in JD's honor which will contain many more images. And for my regular clients, thank you for your understanding and patience as I undertook this special assignment.

And sometimes your clients become your friends!

I''m so happy to have met this sweet family two years ago. Our paths originally crossed through our mutual membership in an international adoption group. Their precious daughter was two at the time, and we had a great session! You may remember this image - one of my all-time favorites:


And now, Miss S has a little brother, another precious gift from God. How I have grown to love this family! They're the kind of people you feel you've known forever, those who just scoop you up and make you "family" from the start. Thank you for that!


There was just something about Mr. P that lent these images to vintage treatment. Here's another - doesn't it look like it came out of your grandmother's drawer? :-) I'm enjoying trying a wide variety of treatments for my images, custom-designing each one to bring out the mood and vision I had in mind while taking it.



And this year's version of Miss S's intense gaze: just a little older, but the same enchanting face.

Her coy look:

And a hopscotch game shared with little brother. Got a story to tell? This is a storyboard collage option that I offer to clients - it's one of my bestsellers!



Finally, a sample from the new "Definitions" line I carry. These large matted images with defintions have high impact, and are available with words like "family," "joy," "boy," "girl," and many more. They can contain multiple images or a single one. Doesn't this image just make you want to....


GIGGLE!!!

Sometimes your friends become your clients...

I am privileged to have been friends with this amazing family for many years - can it be almost 20?!? And from the beginning, it's been easy to see that they're simply wonderful people! Recently they gathered to celebrate their mother's 80th birthday (am I allowed to say that, Shirley?) and Mother's Day. Doesn't she look beautiful? We got to do an extended family session right in the back yard, and I was privileged to meet the brothers and sisters and in-laws that I've heard about for years. What a pleasure! I'm so glad to be your friend, and now also your photographer!